STRATHAM — He's spent the last few years of his young life raising awareness and encouraging peers to do the same against horse slaughtering, an issue that's become a priority for the Greenland boy.

Now Declan Gregg, 10, is making it even easier for people of any age to support his efforts in becoming an “Adoption Angel” for Scarlet the horse, an animal living at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Stratham.

Through his blog, www.children4horses.blogspot.com and his Facebook page under the same name, he's created a “chip-in” button where people can make a donation toward raising the $600 needed to become Scarlet's Adoption Angel.

She said after a year of “adopting” an animal there, which is unusual, Ryan said normally a particular portion of the adoption center is adopted rather than an individual animal.

He also wants to see others his age make helping animals a priority in their lives as well.

“I want to have a goal of 20 kids to come down here to be Adoption Angels,” he said.

His mother, Stacie, has been volunteering at the SPCA for about a year now and Declan fell in love with Scarlet, a horse who was born at the shelter after her mother was taken in due to a cruelty case. Ryan said having a horse born at the shelter is a rarity, making Scarlet and her brother, Rhet, unique.

“We don't get horses here at the SPCA hardly ever,” Ryan said. “It's a very special thing to see them thriving and have kids like Declan helping out.”

Declan chose Scarlet, he said, because of her outgoing demeanor.

“She likes to be with you,” he said.

As much as Declan would like to bring Scarlet home, he and his mother have discussed responsible pet adoption and concluded that caring for her was not something they could do at home. Declan said he wants to make sure she is “in good hands” when Scarlet leaves the SPCA.

Declan also said there is no amount too big or too small to contribute, or any age that isn't effective.

“Kids can make a difference and I want to give the animals a special Christmas present,” Declan.